Conor Thomas spot on as Cheltenham claim late win against Grimsby

Posted Sunday, December 09, 2018 by PA

Conor Thomas scored from the spot in stoppage time to secure Cheltenham a 2-1 home win over Grimsby.

Elliot Embleton looked to have earned the visitors a point after Ryan Broom’s first-half opener, but Thomas kept his cool to convert a penalty in the final seconds as the Robins made it three wins from four in Sky Bet League Two.

Grimsby had made the stronger start, with Embleton shooting just wide in the fourth minute and former Cheltenham forward Wes Thomas heading off target.

The hosts took the lead in the 29th minute after Broom found the net with a heavily deflected shot.

Cheltenham improved after their goal, with Luke Varney’s cross headed off the line by Andrew Fox.

But they had goalkeeper Scott Flinders to thank for keeping their lead intact at the break as he made a double save to keep out Charles Vernam in the 43rd minute.

Grimsby levelled in the 63rd minute when Embleton tapped in after Thomas had a shot blocked.

Flinders did well to deny Thomas in the 70th minute and the goalkeeper made the save of the game to keep Ben Pringle’s shot out with five minutes left.

And Cheltenham claimed all three points when Sam Jones was tripped by Harry Davis in the box and Thomas made no mistake from the spot.